Manuscripts
George Bruce Upton letters to his father
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Charles Plummer letters to his family
Manuscripts
These manuscripts are a series of letters written by Charles Plummer to his family. The first four letters (HM 23343-23346) are addressed to his father, Farnham Plummer, with the final letter (HM 23347) written to his sister Elizabeth. The first letter, HM 23343 dated 1849, February 4 - July 7, also contains a table of daily observations taken by Charles during his trip to California from his home state of Massachusetts, via Cape Horn. The chart is divided by latitude and longitude, and includes barometer and thermometer readings for each date. Also included are incidental details such as landmarks sighted, other ships sighted, and Charles' health (eg. "A little unwell. Took medicine"). The letter is dated 1849, June 30 and July 4, and describes the latter part of Charles' voyage and arrival at San Francisco. He writes that the voyage by sea (as a while has been a pleasant and a lucky one." HM 23344, dated 1851, March 14, sees Charles in San Francisco, and in fine health, but concerned about how he might make some money. He describes local gold mines, each being different from the next, and says he will send home some of the "gold burning quartz" he has found. He writes of meeting Chinese and French immigrants, and asks about family back home in Massachusetts. In HM 23345 (1853, March 10), Charles wishes to hear news of home, in his father's hand in particular, for he has had none for a good while. He has made new friends, and has met a few people he knew from home. He closes his letter as follows: "I would like much to see my native town once more, and trust I may ere another frontier shall pass away." HM 23346, dated 1855, January 1, finds Charles asking once more for a letter from home. He wishes everyone a Happy New Year, and says that the day is marked in California much like it is in New York or Massachusetts, and most of the local stores are closed. He is astonished by how much liquor has been consumed in San Francisco for the occasion. Included in HM 23347 (dated 1856, August 4) is a print of the public execution of Hetherington and Brace, "The Murderers of Baldwin, Randall, West, and Marion, July 29th, 1856" outside Fort Vigilance, upon which Charles has made handwritten notes. In the letter, written to his sister Elizabeth, Charles describes being a witness at this execution, which he went to because "business was suspended all about town and I could accomplish nothing." He writes of the fruit industry in San Francisco, and how it differs in operation compared to back home.
mssHM 23343-23347
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Letter book of William Upton
Manuscripts
The first half of the volume deals with Upton's work in the construction of a dry dock at Sevastopol in the Crimea, including its funding, design, progress, and the constant supplying of materials. The second half of the volume details his life as an engineer and refugee during the Crimean War and his efforts to find further employment and full reimbursement for his loss of property at the outbreak of the war. Upton talks in detail about how his neighbors in Sevastopol had to flee their villas at the approach of troops, and the looting of his property. There are copies of letters by Upton begging for a new job after the war. He wrote several notable people including Lord Raglan and even Emperor Napoleon. The volume also includes a proposal to beautify, improve and develop the banks of the River Thames which Upton sent to the editor of the Illustrated London news in 1856. A letter to Upton (1855, May 7) and a draft of another letter were found In the front cover of the volume. About half of the volume is made up of blank pages; Upton only wrote in the first half of the volume.
mssHM 74299
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George Bentley letters
Manuscripts
HM 83966: George Bentley addresses "Dear Sir" on November 6, 1893. In this letter, Bentley asks the addressee for additional copies of his book After Business. He states he gave away all but 1 of the 100 copies printed. He also asks about a "Mr. Howell." HM 83967: Writing from Tenby Wales, George Bentley addresses "Mr. Cousens" on March 10. Bentley inquires Cousens about the status of a proof and asks to him to sign his name in full at the bottom.
mssHM 83966-83967
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Emile Grisar letters to John Townsend
Manuscripts
Here are three letters to Dr. John Townsend from Emile Grisar of San Francisco, CA. The letters are all dated 1850; HM 35196 is dated September 26, HM 35197 is dated October 22, and HM 35198 is dated November 2. Grisar writes of the arrival of a ship that he appears to be interested in purchasing in conjunction with Townsend, but it needs repair. He also writes of the repairs being done on his San Francisco house, which he may have to draw drafts against. In HM 35196, he informs Townsend of the grading of San Francisco streets by the City Authority, and suggests he be given power of attorney in order to best take care of Townsend's business in San Francisco. In the final letter, Grisar relates that he may have to pay for a portion of the grading charges, and plans to formally protest along with several local colleagues.
mssHM 35196-35198
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Matthew Gilbert Upton papers
Manuscripts
Letters and articles by Matthew Gilbert Upton of San Francisco, California. Includes some material related to the Customhouse in San Francisco.
mssHM 19271-19292
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Gustave E. Genthner letters to his family
Manuscripts
Twenty-nine of these thirty letters were written by Gustave E. Genthner to various members of his family, located in Boston. The letters were written between 1860 and 1867, from various parts of California. The lone exception is HM 16665, written by Barnas A. Genthner on 1845, January 2, from New York, to "Father and Mother." The names of the relatives are never given. In the letters, Gustave Genthner describes his experiences working on a farm outside San Francisco, and as a soldier during the Civil War. In HM 16642, dated 1860, September 14, he writes, "I am very lonesome sometimes and home-sick too but then the novelty and diversity of life here soon drives it away." He sends money home as often as he can, and writes of his toils ploughing in the fields. In August 1861 (HM 16651), Genthner reports that he has become a soldier of Company B, 1st Brigade for the Union, and writes passionately of his pride defending "one of the most glorious governments that the sun ever shone upon" (HM 16653, 1862, September 29). He does well as a soldier, and writes with pride of receiving a pair of pistols as a gift from the citizens of San Jose (HM 16657, 1863, October 7). In mid-1864, he writes from Fort Yuma, "I could never have advanced myself at home as I have here" (HM 16660, 1864, May 21), but by June, he has resigned from the Army due to his poor health (HM 16661, 1864, June 5). Following his discharge, Genthner works for the San Francisco police force. Soon after, he has a family of his own, as he writes in HM 16668 (1866, March 11) that "Sarah and the baby are well," and in HM 16669, refers to "my darling wife and sweetest of babies."
mssHM 16642-16645, 16648-16673